Stearidonic acid (SDA: C₁₈ H₂₈ O₂; 18: 4, n-3) is an ω-3 fatty acid, sometimes called moroctic acid. It is biosynthesized from

alpha-linolenic acid ''alpha''-Linolenic acid (ALA), also known as α-Linolenic acid (from Greek ''alpha'' meaning "first" and ''linon'' meaning flax), is an ''n''−3, or omega-3, essential fatty acid. ALA is found in many seeds and oils, including flaxseed, wa ...

(ALA: C₁₈H₃₀O₂; 18:3, n-3) by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, that removes two hydrogen (H) atoms from a fatty acid, creating a carbon/carbon double bonding, via an oxygen requiring unsaturation. SDA also act as precursor for the rapid synthesis of longer chain fatty acids, called ''N''-acylethanolamine (NAEs), involved in many important biological processes. Natural sources of this

fatty acid In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, f ...

are the seed oils of

hemp Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a botanical class of '' Cannabis sativa'' cultivars grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants ...

blackcurrant The blackcurrant (''Ribes nigrum''), also known as black currant or cassis, is a deciduous shrub in the family Grossulariaceae grown for its edible berries. It is native to temperate parts of central and northern Europe and northern Asia, whe ...

, corn gromwell, and '' Echium plantagineum'', and the

cyanobacterium Cyanobacteria (), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name ''cyanobacteria'' refers to their color (), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blu ...

''Spirulina''. SDA can also be synthesized in a lab. A GMO soybean source is approved by the

European Food Safety Authority The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the agency of the European Union (EU) that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain. EFSA was established in February 2002, ...

References

Fatty acids Alkenoic acids {{Organic-compound-stub

See also

References